When a pathological narcissist takes over an organization, the organization can either reject them or surrender. We see both forces at work in our government. And right now, the lackeys appear to have the upper hand at the Department of Justice. /1
When Trump declared Matt Whitaker acting AG, the appointment was by most accounts unconstitutional. /2
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
As if that wasn't enough, Whitaker's only job qualification is "obsequious toady". He's got a paper-thin resume that includes a scam company under investigatation by the FBI, and work with Mueller probe subject Sam Clovis. /3
nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
And Trump himself admitted Whitaker's stance on the Mueller investigation was a requirement for the promotion. He never did say what that second reason was, did he? But there's no reasonable, non-Koolaid interpretation where this isn't obstruction. /4
Because Whitaker appears to be an illegal acting AG, there's a very real concern DOJ could lose criminal cases he oversees. Defense attorneys in Iowa and Texas have already made appeals on these grounds. Expect "thousands of identical cases". /5
politico.com/story/2018/11/…
politico.com/story/2018/11/…
In short, Whitaker is ineligible, unqualified, overflowing with conflicts of interest, and was - transparently - chosen to protect Trump from the Mueller investigation.
So far, that's all on Trump.
But DOJ's response should have sirens blaring. /6
So far, that's all on Trump.
But DOJ's response should have sirens blaring. /6
First, they've kept Whitaker's financial disclosure forms hidden. /7
Because Whitaker became Session's chief of staff in October 2017, these forms should've been released months and months ago. Something's clearly up. /8
DOJ has also issued an opinion defending the Whitaker appointment. The opinion doesn't hold up to legal scrutiny, and would radically expand the president's appointment power. /9
Each of these issues on its own would be disturbing. Together, they paint a picture of DOJ as a captured agency serving a very specific special interest. /10
Trump lets most cabinet members run their departments like little fiefdoms. But not the ones he needs to use for his own interests. Justice is the one department presidents are supposed to take a hands-off approach to, but he can't keep his hands off it. /11
Jeff Sessions was fired for failing to put Trump ahead of his first love, white supremacy. His hiring and firing are emblematic of how Trump loyalists and white supremacists use each other for their own ends, and what happens when their priorities conflict. /12
I never thought I'd see Jeff Sessions lose a job for having too many morals. But here we are. And Whitaker has no such problem. He's Trump's inside man, all the way. /13
nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
That's dangerous enough. In fact, it's a constitutional crisis. But things are truly precarious when senior DOJ staff go to these lengths to play along. Whitaker can't single-handedly let Trump subvert the law. With a compromised DOJ, he can. And their actions show they are. /14
Update: DOJ just released Whitaker's financial disclosures. But not before sanitizing them.
@waltshaub called it. DOJ stalled the release so Whitaker could get his story straight. And lied about it. Again, these are the actions of a compromised DOJ. (h/t @RobertMaguire_)
@waltshaub @RobertMaguire_ Trump is slowly replacing his lackeys with bigger lackeys. Sessions, McGahn, Tillerson all gone because they were only toadies *most* of the time. But the layer of bureaucracy below them can still act as a check. That’s why DOJ’s behavior is so troubling.
